John Willis Piper, was born 14 Apr 1835 in Edgefield, South Carolina and the 8th child of Willis Piper and Elizabeth Day. John spent his childhood on his father's farm in the district of Edgefield in a family of 11 children near the town of Edgefield. John's father died in 1849, where his mother had leaned on him to work the farm. In 1855 John married Pauline Anne Barton, perhaps in the district of Edgefield. Pauline, was born 10 Aug 1838 in Edgefield, South Carolina and the 2nd child of Timothy Barton and Nancy Turner. Pauline also spent her childhood in the district of Edgefield in a family of 11 children. Family lore has it that Pauline was a ¼ Cherokee. To their union were born a slightly larger family of 13 children: Frances in 1856, Mahala in 1857, Victoria in 1859, George in 1861, Ella in 1863, Charles in 1866, John in 1868, Martin in 1870, Thomas in 1872, Sardie in 1874, Sophronia in 1876, Margaret in 1878, and Effie in 1881.

At the age of 32, John enlisted with the South Carolina 19th Infantry Regiment, Company K, for the Confederate States of America. John merged into South Carolina's heavy and light artillery groups. The South Carolina 19th Infantry participated in some of the most vicious battles of the Civil War such as; Corinth, Kentucky Campaign, Munfordville, Tullahoma Campaign, Chattanooga Campaign, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and the Carolinas Campaign. John Piper had three brothers, Thomas, Martin and George, who all participated in the Civil War. Thomas was the only one to have died in battle, while the other two lived into their later years.

In 1875, John's mother died and after the legal matters were complete in regards to the estate of his parents, John and his family made arrangements to head west. By early 1878, the Piper's made their way to Ellis County, Texas, in a covered wagon. John with his pregnant Pauline and 10 children made the journey without their eldest child, who stayed in South Carolina with her husband John Glover Arthur. By 1881, John owned 300 acres of land, originally owned by James Cooper near the towns of Avalon and Italy located in the southern part of Ellis County. John had his last two children born in Ellis County. He became a successful farmer because of the fertile soil and good business practices. John was a member of the local church and a member of the local Masonic Lodge. John died 4 Jun 1902 and left his estate to his wife provided she did not get re-married, which she never did. John Willis Piper was buried in Italy Cemetery, Italy, Ellis County, Texas